Frequently Asked Questions

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What makes the UFPlanets different to other gaming clans and communities?

The UFPlanets community (UFP) is a collective of like-minded Star Trek, science fiction and gaming fans. With such a large and loyal group of members, we benefit from a strong sense of direction and the very best candidates in leadership roles throughout the various areas of the community.

Whilst many gaming ‘fleets’ exist across the internet, this community is designed to cater to a wide variety interests. From straightforward gaming, discussions on a variety of topics, to writing and artwork - most of which relates directly to Star Trek, but we also include science fiction in general. We also have our own volunteer ran news service in the form of the Federation News Service. In short, whilst getting together as friends and playing a variety of games, we also host a great deal of user generated content.

Our members have a great deal of influence over the direction in which UFPlanets progresses as a community. With the ability to submit proposals and feedback, all members have a voice, and your input is genuinely valued. We use the views of all the membership in conjunction with an experienced team of community leaders to ensure that the UFP is truly the apex experience for fans of Trek. This community focused development leads to a wide variety of new and innovative services and features (and sometimes old ones returning!) cropping up across the forums.

Our ability to grow and exceed the expectations of a ‘fleet’ is most noticeably demonstrated in the impressive technological knowledge of several of our leading members. The site is designed and coded by existing leaders of this community, as are several other administrative and social features across the site - perhaps most obvious amongst them being the event system.

What games are currently supported by the UFPlanets community?

The flagship title for the community is Star Trek Online (STO), having the largest support and player base amongst the members of the UFP. STO is supported through multiple divisions within the community, who each focus on a specific faction or goal. We actively support every faction and have multiple in-game fleets, currently 4 for the Federation and 3 for the Klingon Empire. With numerous hosted events, dedicated staff and resources, the UFP offers a truly unique experience for players who are interested in STO. Our primary platform for all this is the PC - while we do have a console fleet on the PS4 and Xbox versions of STO that have several members present within, these are unfortunately no longer officially supported due to a sharp decline in demand.

Additionally, UFPlanets also actively supports classic Trek games (such as Star Trek: Bridge Commander and Elite Force) alongside a wide variety of non-Trek games. Starfleet Holodeck is dedicated to supporting non-Trek gaming titles, hosting events and discussions with games such as Minecraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic and World of Warcraft, alongside newer titles such as Stellaris.

What types of players does UFPlanets cater to?

The UFP aims to cater for all player types be they casual or hardcore, Player vs Environment (PvE), Player vs Player (PvP) or Roleplay (RP). We organise a range of in-game events across all of the games that we support that are designed to cater to any particular playstyle. Members are also free to organise their own in-game events and will receive support in doing so. We do our best to try and have something for everyone. We understand real life commitments come first and our community bends and adapts to accommodate this.

What support does UFPlanets offer to its members?

All new members have access to a basic orientation to the community as well as being assigned a Recruit Support Officer (RSO). The Recruit Support Officer will contact the new member to help them settle in, run through the basics of the community and of course, will answer any questions the member may have. All of this initial contact with the community is handled by Starfleet Academy - the department which cares for new members and their experiences within the community. SFA also has responsibility for our Recruitment Operations.

We also offer a variety of training and support to members who wish to contribute more to the community. Hands on training can be provided for any of the divisions or departments which make up the UFP. There are also three optional exams which give you the necessary information and overview towards taking a volunteer position somewhere within the community.

Another important level of support granted to all UFP members is the COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE. This includes a general help feature as well as supporting members with any possible gaming or technical issues they may be dealing with. This ensures that all members receive the utmost attention should they suddenly be faced with a problem they cannot resolve themselves.

What are the requirements of being a member?

Members must follow the CODE OF CONDUCT. This ensures that all of our members have access to an uninterrupted and enjoyable gaming and social experience. Members are also required to sign Roll Calls, these are conducted once every three months and they allow us to keep a record of who is active. Leave of Absences and Extended Leave of Absences can be arranged if necessary to secure your membership. To go on a Leave of Absence you can submit one on your MY UFP PAGE.

That all sounds like what I’m looking for, how do I apply?

You can fill out our APPLICATION FORM to join. We aim to process applications within 24 hours, but typically it’s completed much sooner.

I’m a new member! I don’t understand anything!

It is probably best that you take a read through the COMUMNITY SUPPORT CENTRE and the rest of the website in order to properly understand how we work. We have tried to make things as clear as possible but we understand that there is a lot of information to digest. Fear not; we are here to help and don’t forget that you can also seek out assistance from your Recruit Support Officer, they are here to assist you.

Can I be a member of another gaming clan/community/fleet whilst simultaneously being a member of the UFPlanets community?

If you’re a member of another community elsewhere, that’s not an issue at all. There are no conflicts of interest or restrictions to you having membership in another clan or community.

Does the UFPlanets community employ a hierarchical structure?

In short, yes. The UFPlanets community uses a hierarchical structure based upon established Star Trek canon. Although all members are considered to be and are treated as equals, some members will out of necessity be high up the command structure so as to ensure they can adequately see to their respective responsibilities.

What sort of rank structure does the UFPlanets community employ?

The United Federation of Planets uses a rank structure that is taken from the established Star Trek canon. Two rank trees exist currently - the Commissioned ranks (such as Ensign and Captain) and the Non-Commissioned ranks (such as Crewman and Chief Petty Officer).

The Commissioned Officer ranks are for those that wish to serve the community by taking on specific roles and responsibilities. To gain a Commissioned Officer rank, a member can take the exams at Starfleet Academy. These exams are optional and not mandatory for applying to positions, but they do help to provide an overview and understanding of the necessary skills to contribute to the day to day running of the community. Completing these grants the rank of Ensign.

The Non-Commissioned ranks are for those that simply wish to be a member of the community without any specific roles or responsibilities besides that of a normal player. These ranks exist for those that would rather spend their time socialising on the forum and playing our supported games instead of getting involved in the day to day running of the community. However, should a member hold enlisted rank and they assume a CL4 position, they can retain this rank instead of moving to the commissioned ranks if they specifically request to do so.

All new members start with the Non-Commissioned rank of Crewman. Our rank structure allows for members to advance in rank no matter what their focus is.

What ranks are included in the UFPlanets structure?

The rank structure extends from Crewman up to Fleet Admiral. The Fleet Admiral rank is unique and is only ever held by one person at a time, that individual being the Head of UFPlanets. An important distinction to note is that the rank held by any member is purely cosmetic and does not mean they automatically have authority over every member of a lower rank. What authority someone does hold is determined by their Clearance Level and respective position. For a listing of our rank structure, please see RANKS, MEDALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

What is Roll Call?

Roll Call takes place once every three months, remaining open for 2 weeks and UFP members are required to sign so that we can track levels of activity, the process only takes a couple of minutes to complete. The Roll Call also serves as a platform for members to supply comments and feedback to the community and this generates our Community Feedback Results for each department. If a member fails to sign two consecutive roll calls then their membership status at the UFPlanets community will be adjusted as necessary and the member in question will have to reapply for full membership status.

Members that are on a Leave of Absence are exempt from signing Roll Call for the duration of their absence. This allows members who are unable to be active due to real life issues or commitments to remain within the community. Additionally, members who choose to hold an optional recurring subscription at bronze, silver or gold tiers are also exempt from signing.

What voice-over IP (VoIP) software does the UFPlanets community use?

The UFP uses a free VoIP program called TeamSpeak 3. We also host our own TeamSpeak 3 server (ts.ufplanets.com). TeamSpeak 3 is not a requirement of UFP membership, however we do encourage members to use it since it does not cost them anything. Members are able to communicate via text if they would rather type than talk (which is a common preference of many members during their first few times on TeamSpeak 3).

There is also a UFPlanets Discord server that members are free to use if they so wish, however due to security and privacy concerns, we do not officially support Discord and official meetings will always take place on TeamSpeak 3.

I’m interested in helping out; how do I do that?

Glad to hear you’re interested! We have a page dedicated to open VOLUNTEER ROLES. You can also express an interest in other roles at any time by submitting this VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM. Please note that some positions require a direct application to be made and these should be submitted to the officer named in the advertisement post.

I have an idea! How do I propose something?

For that we have our CONTACT US page and there are 2 options available here.

The first is a Feedback form where you can submit whatever you have on your mind and is useful for general feedback, ideas you'd like to submit for consideration or general comments. Please note that this form is done anonymously, as it does not record your details, therefore we cannot send a personal or direct response to you.

The second Contact Us form is a similar but more formal method and should be used when you wish to raise something and receive a formal response back.

I’m going away for a bit, do I need to do something?

Yes. You need to let us know so that you can become exempt from our Roll Call period for a fixed period of time. You can do this through my UFP in what is known as LEAVE OF ABSENCE. If you hold a volunteer position, this is especially important as it allows your department to arrange any necessary coverage in your absence.

Where can I go if I have more questions?

You can always go to our forums and simply ask our members! You can drop a quick question straight into the chatbox or alternatively you can start a thread. Always remember, the Community Support Centre and your Recruit Support Officer will always be available to you. If the person you ask does not know the answer themselves, never fear, they can point you in the right direction of someone who can assist.

Not sure we're the right community for you?

You can easily submit a REQUEST TO LEAVE OUR COMMUNITY. We'll always help you to settle in but we understand that not everyone is comfortable in such a large community or they may simply decide it’s time to move on to other things.

Does the UFPlanets community employ a hierarchical structure?

Essentially, we do. The UFPlanets community uses a command structure based upon established Star Trek canon. While all members are considered to be and are treated equally, out of necessity, some members will be higher in the command structure to carry out their duties and responsibilities. Briefly, CL6 members (Orange) are the community leaders who form the Federation Executive Office. CL5 members (Light Blue) form Starfleet Command and are the department heads and associated deputies. CL4 members (dark blue) are the UFP volunteer staff from all departments. CL3 members (Blue) are the regular UFP members and they are the backbone of the community, alongside being the largest group. For a full description of our Clearance Levels (CL), please see HERE.

How are the forums moderated at the UFP?

The Moderation team and their associated duties fall under the remit of the Federation Administrative Bureau. Their tasks include keeping the forums free from spam and ensuring that content which appears does not violate the Code of Conduct or is otherwise harmful to members.

For anyone that does violate the Code of Conduct, a strike system is operated. A maximum of 3 strikes can be incurred and should a member reach that point, they will be removed from the UFP and banned. In some cases, a user may be banned immediately, but this is exceedingly rare.

We aim to create and maintain a safe, fun and friendly environment for everyone at the UFP. It should be noted that Strikes are rarely handed out, typically only for serious and/or repeated violations and even then, only if there is agreement by FEO that the strike is warranted. Should a member gain a strike, it can be removed again by agreement of FEO if the member demonstrates that they are adhering to the CODE OF CONDUCT.

Can I have a rank in my Username?

As UFPlanets employs a rank structure that applies to every member, it would be confusing if someone included a rank as part of their name in the community. It’s for this reason that doing so is prohibited and should you have one when registering to join as part of your chosen name, you’ll be asked to select a replacement before your application is processed. While not always possible depending on the format of the original name, we usually get around this by suggesting you use the name without the rank part, rather than selecting an entirely new name.

How do I get promoted?

If you’re looking to increase in rank, there are a few paths open to achieving this. The first is to complete the Starfleet Academy Exams. While these are not mandatory for members, completing all three will commission you as an officer and grant you the rank of Ensign. Another way is to volunteer for a position in the community to help out! If you take a volunteer role, you’ll be a granted a rank promotion which varies depending on which role you’ve accepted. The final method for a new rank is to be recognised as part of the UFPAC by other members. As mentioned above, ranks do not denote authority in UFPlanets and are cosmetic in the day to day happenings.

What is the UFPAC?

UFPAC is the United Federation of Planets Awards Ceremony, a community event that takes place every quarter of the year. It is here that the various community members have their efforts and contributions recognised by the community at large, with recommendations submitted by the CL4 staff and above. In addition to potentially receiving promotions, the UFPAC awards medals representing the individual’s contributions. You can find a listing of the medals and what they represent HERE.

What departments make up the UFPlanets?

We have a number of departments within the community who each have their areas of expertise to help grow, manage and develop the community. Broadly speaking, they fit into the categories of MEMBER SERVICES & GAMING. These pages include links to what each department does and their current staff members.

Can I see who is a member of UFPlanets?

You certainly can! Our ROSTER has a complete list of all our currently active members. This listing is arranged by Clearance Level, then by Rank and finally Alphabetical order.

Where do the signatures I see members with come from?

The signatures you see people using are custom made for each member, with the staff from the Community Graphics Team providing the service free of charge. There are specific guidelines for obtaining one of these which you can find HERE.

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We're an online community with a passion for Star Trek. We're a large collection of fans, all with the same vision as Gene Roddenberry, that together, anything is possible.